- Audi RS 5 available as a Sportback for the first time
- Twin-turbo V6 under the bonnet: 2.9 TFSI with 331kW and 600Nm of torque
- Michael-Julius Renz, head of Audi Sport GmbH: "The new Audi RS 5 Sportback is a true international car – we expect it to conquer all markets"
New York/Neckarsulm, March 28, 2018 – Audi Sport launches an innovative high-performance model onto the market. The Audi RS 5 Sportback is currently making its world debut at the New York International Auto Show, (March 28 – April 9, 2018). It combines stirring design and a high level of everyday usability with superior performance.
"The Audi RS 5 Sportback is more than just an international trade fair novelty – it offers something new to our customers," says Michael-Julius Renz, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH.
"Our innovative interpretation of a five-door high-performance coupé has neither predecessor models, nor a direct competitor.
"The new Audi RS 5 Sportback will carry the RS genes out onto the road."
The exterior design of the new Audi RS 5 Sportback combines stirring curves and taut, athletic surfaces. The longer wheelbase, short overhangs and long, wraparound engine cover with power dome all emphasise the dynamism of the model. The characteristic wavy shape of the powerful shoulder line is a visual highlight of the high-performance coupé. When viewed at an angle from behind, the modeled sides look particularly impressive. Here, quattro blisters emphasise the strong bulges over the wheel housings, which have been extended by 15 millimetres.
At the front, the Audi RS 5 Sportback features a wide, flat single-frame grille, solid air intakes with a honeycomb structure typical of an RS model, and a front spoiler with matte aluminium quattro lettering. Aside from the headlights, the vehicle features additional design elements in gloss black, making the RS 5 Sportback appear even wider. An RS-specific diffuser insert, RS exhaust system with oval tailpipes and fixed spoiler lip give the rear end its sportiness. The RS 5 Sportback comes with 19-inch wheels as standard, while 20-inch wheels are available as an optional extra. The new Audi RS 5 Sportback can be customised with the Gloss Black, Carbon, and Matte Aluminium optic packages.
The 2.9 TFSI V6 twin turbo engine offers both power and efficiency, and can achieve 331kW. Its maximum torque of 600Nm is deployed throughout a wide speed range from 1900 to 5000rpm. The Audi RS 5 Sportback accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds, with the possibility of reaching a top speed of 280km/h. The two turbochargers of the 2.9 TFSI V6 twin turbo generate up to 1.5 bar of charge pressure. As with all new Audi V6 and V8 engines, the turbochargers are mounted at a 90-degree angle to the cylinder banks, which means that the exhaust side of the cylinder heads is inside, and the intake side is outside. This layout enables a compact design and short fuel paths with minimal flow loss – the 2.9 TFSI engine reacts almost instantly to the movements of the right pedal. The B-cycle combustion process with central direct injection contributes to the overall efficiency.
The power of the 2.9 TFSI is transferred to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive with centre differential via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission with optimised shift times that is specially tuned to sporty driving. It distributes power asymmetrically 40:60 between the axles – this guarantees dynamic handling with optimal traction alongside the greatest possible safety. When slippage occurs on an axle, most of the power immediately flows to the other axle – up to 85 percent to the front, and up to 70 percent to the rear. This locking effect enables a clearly-defined torque distribution and precise co-operation with the control systems. The optional sport differential selectively shifts the torque between the rear wheels.
The five-link design on the front and rear axles allows for substantially enhanced comfort, even in the sportiest of driving modes. With the standard RS sports suspension, the RS 5 Sportback is seven millimetres lower than the Audi S5 Sportback. Alternatively, Audi Sport offers RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), ceramic brakes and RS-specific dynamic steering. Drivers can create their own personal driving experience – to make it more customised, more dynamic or more comfortable – using the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, which is fitted as standard.
The high-quality, sporty interior of the new Audi RS 5 Sportback is finished in black, and provides space for five people. Its square-shaped profile and loading width measuring exactly one metre enables optimum use of the 480 litres boot capacity. Folding down the rear seats increases the capacity to 1300 litres. The rear seat backrest is divided in a 40:20:40 ratio as standard. The RS 5 Sportback weighs 1840 kilograms.
The sporty nature of the five-door high-performance coupé is emphasised by details such as the RS sport seats with optional honeycomb pattern in fine Nappa leather, and the flat-bottomed RS multifunction sports leather steering wheel. RS emblems can be found on the seats, the steering wheel, the sill panel strips and on the selector lever.
Special RS information displays in the Audi virtual cockpit provide information on tyre pressure, torque and G forces. In manual mode, the shift light display prompts the driver to shift up once the engine speed threshold is reached. Particular highlights of the RS design package include the contrasting red stitching on the steering wheel and selector lever, the Alcantara knee pads, and the red-trimmed seat belts and floor mats featuring the RS logo. For the Audi RS 5, Audi Sport offers Sonoma Green Metallic as an exclusive paint option.
The Audi RS 5 Sportback is expected to arrive in Australia at the end of the year.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: This MediaInfo is intended for a global audience, and elements of it may not accurately reflect Australian features, specifications or timeframes unless specifically stated otherwise.
The Audi Group, with its brands Audi, Ducati and Lamborghini, is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the premium segment. It is present in more than 100 markets worldwide and produces at 16 locations in twelve countries. 100 percent subsidiaries of AUDI AG include Audi Sport GmbH (Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy) and Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy).
In 2017, the Audi Group delivered to customers about 1.878 million automobiles of the Audi brand, 3,815 sports cars of the Lamborghini brand and 55,900 motorcycles of the Ducati brand. In the 2017 fiscal year, AUDI AG achieved total revenue of €60.1 billion and an operating profit of €5.1 billion. At present, approximately 90,000 people work for the company all over the world, more than 60,000 of them in Germany. Audi focuses on sustainable products and technologies for the future of mobility.